Typing Heaven? We have received more
questions regarding standing computing and wish to share these five
considerations:

A

nti-fatigue
mat is a necessary addition to the employee workstation. Standing for
prolonged periods demands a high amount of physical strength. The data I read
shows the average work force employee is probably overweight and not exercising
on a regular basis. A standing format would not be my recommendation for an
employee who is pregnant.

The placement of the monitor’s highest point is critical especially for any
employee especially anyone shorter/taller than the 95th percentile
and/or wears prescription progressive bifocals eyeglasses. Tipping the head
either upwards or downward places stress on the neck, shoulders, and back.

The angle of the employee’s elbows and wrists must be maintained in a neutral
position or stress on the neck ,arms, shoulders, and back will result

Headsets or speaker phones! You want to avoid any phone cradling or any
unnecessary reaching/bending to retrieve the phone

Wireless devices (mouse/keyboard) make the transition back and forth smoother
and ensures proper placement of these devices.

Standing periodically throughout the work day is always a good thing. But I
am not convinced that standing as a normal course of the work day is in the best
interest of the employee or the business. Though standing desks have received
quite the hype, research has shown that it greatly increases the risk of artery
disease and varicose veins.

coworker
advice and "googling" can lead you to make changes in how you use your body
when operating your computer. Here are 5 mistakes to avoid when addressing
your personal computer ergonomics.

Mistake No. 1:
Ignoring ergonomics When we sat down that 1st time in our office or work
station; did your supervisor provide an ergonomic guideline to stay healthy
and avoid injuries? Probably not. Bad physical
effects of an improper work station setup can be rectified and usually your
body will favorably respond. But the physical effects can be permanent and
linger throughout your life. Here is a basic
guideline to help you get started

Mistake No. 2:
'ergonomic'
products The latest and greatest wrist rest, keyboards, modernistic chairs,
and input devices from the movies while slick looking aren't always the
answer. These devices may promise the solution to a comfortable work life. But
what is the industry standard for what is labeled ergonomic?

Mistake No. 3:
Ignoring early warning signs
We often dismiss our physical complaints when we work a “desk” job. Remember:
Pain is the body's way of telling you something is not right. Repetitive
stress injuries are cumulative. They don't just happen one day. Instead of
taking a pain pill or struggling each day, consult a professional.

Mistake No. 4:
Attracted to nontraditional desksRecently
in the press there has been a lot of what I call "hype" regarding standing
while using a computer. You might have seen a news report or read an article
in popular news outlets about stand-up desks and treadmill desks

I am sorry to disappoint
you; but there's no magic bullet.
Though standing desks have received quite the hype, research has shown that it
greatly increases the risk of artery disease and varicose veins. Fine detailed
work usually demands sitting. We recommend that you structure your work day to
include micro breaks which provide you the opportunity to get up out of your
chair

Mistake No. 5: All you
need is ergonomics
Even if your work station setup is picture perfect, the human body has not
evolved so you can sit for 8 or more hours each day. Prolonged sitting has
been proven to adversely effect us. So get up and talk to coworkers instead of
an email, stand while taking phone calls, and please don't eat your lunch at
your desk

the fact is that approximately 66 million U.S. workers, a quarter of U.S. worker
population, are obese. So
BIFMA
(Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association) has revised its
ergonomics guidance to “reflect changes in the size and shape of the North
American working population,” The revisions include increased seat width,
distance between armrests, support surface height for sitting and standing, and
height clearance for legs and knees.
BIFMA is also
developing a new “Heavy Occupant Chair Standard”..

Digital Eyestrain

After about 2 hours of operating a digital device (computer, tablet, E readers,
smart phone) it is common for an individual to experience a number of symptoms.
Blurred vision, dryness, headaches, soreness, back - neck - shoulder pain are
the most reported warning signs. Digital eyestrain is cumulative and a number of
factors contribute. From lack of rest to ergonomics and proper lighting to how
we may hold them. For eyeglass wearers, especially progressive bifocal users,
too often their prescription was not designed for the mid range distances

Reading material on a computer monitor is shown to be at a slower rate when
compared to reading a printed page of paper. As far back as 1979 studies have
shown that the difference in reading speed is between 10 and 30%. Vision Xperts’
wellness program “Pixel vs Print
is designed to address those factors that contribute to Digital Eyestrain.
Our recommendations: make sure your eyeglasses have the
correct prescription, organize
your work day to vary responsibilities which incorporate breaks, proper
ergonomics, and don't forget
the eye drops.

Ergonomics for hand held devices.....
There are no ergonomic guidelines for using hand held devices. But I can
recommend the following when using portable devices. I have observed most
individuals use tablets and phones with their head & shoulders bent over the
device. The average adult head weighs approximately 10 lbs. and for each inch
you bend over your tablet and phone your are doubling the weight force upon your
shoulders. The higher you can view the portable device the less stress on your
neck and shoulder. If the portable device can be positioned vertically on a flat
service, this would be the most desirable neutral position. Remember; just as
computer usage - breaks are a good idea to reduce prolonged stress on your body.

A recent telephone survey of 1,020 adults conducted by Opinion
Research Corporation in partnership with the American Optometric Association has
found that a majority (61%) of Americans are concerned about vision problems
caused by prolonged computer use. According to the survey; people feel that CVS
is a major vision problem and 64% believe that it will worsen in the future.

Computer Vision Disorder

Is a computer one of the tools necessary for your job? Do you
use a computer at home? The answer to both of these questions is probably: YES.
Then ask your self; “how often do I encounter any of these symptoms?"

Dry eyes?

Focusing difficulty?

Blurred vision?

Headaches?

Sore shoulders?

Pain in my neck or back?

The Vision Council of America indicates sixty million people suffer from eye
problems associated with a computer use. Every year that number rises by an
additional million people. These 6 symptoms are estimated to cost American
companies and employees 2 billion dollars to diagnose and treat.

If a person is having a visual difficulty associated with computer use; more
than likely they will also have some level & form of physical trouble also. The
right prescription lenses and appropriate frames will aid the computer user in
avoiding computer related difficulties. So it is critical for your prescription
lenses to inform your eye doctor how far away from your eyes your monitor is
positioned. If you use a bifocal lens be sure to select a frame which has a
minimum of 35 millimeters in vertical height (referred to as the B measurement).

Computer use is the most visually intensive and demanding work. People who
have visually difficulty seeing the computer will automatically adjust their
bodies to focus on the monitor screen. The result of these changes in good
posture to see the screen are musculoskeletal problems in the neck, back,
shoulders, arms, and hands.

You can reduce the likelihood of visual and physical difficulties by
incorporating the following preventive measures:

·

Always work with a computer monitor by facing it with your head
straight

·

A monitor should be approximately 24 – 28 inches away from your eyes

·

The top of the monitor should be at approximately eye brow height
(for progressive bifocal users; lower the top of monitor to nose level)

·

Be sure to sit with your back firmly against the chair back

·

Your feet should be flat on the floor

·

Paper documents should be on document holder – Not lying flat on the
desk

·

Position document holder on your visually dominant side

* Keyboard tray and mouse should be on the same plane.

* Upper arms and elbows to be close to body (not extended outward)

* Forearms, wrists, and hands to be straight and parallel to floor

* Avoid cradling phone between head and neck

* Head and neck to be upright (not bent forward over the work surface)

To arrange any of our
ergonomic services or address any specific questions you may have; please
contact our office directly at 708-686-5266

BREAKS, BREAKS, BREAKS A
new study confirms that and gives safety pros two new pieces of ammo for
reducing injuries:

Rest breaks reduce the likelihood of injury.

Longer rest breaks reduce the likelihood of injury even
further.

Five steps to consider:

Even 1 minute matters as it will rejuvenate workers and reduce
their chances of injuries for a little while. Examples of 1 minute breaks: get a
drink of water or confer with a colleague. Offering a micro break is better than
none at all. Consider this fact:
One minute is all prizefighters receive between rounds. How long do you think
fights would last without the one minute break?

Bonus: It boosts morale. Workers know that the boss cares, which is also
linked in injury prevention.

2. Longer breaks work better as there was a direct
link between length of break and reduction in time to injury. Longer breaks
meant fewer injuries in the hours immediately following breaks.

Bonus: When workers received breaks up to an hour such as a lunch hour,
they are no more at risk than at shift’s start.

3. When possible, workers should receive 15 minutes every two hours.
If that’s not possible, mix up the breaks – “take five” after an hour, another
10 minutes after three hours. Ideally, workers should receive regular breaks
throughout a shift.

4. Don’t assume workers are getting breaks... Researchers
reported that many injured workers had no breaks at all during their shift for
either they weren’t given breaks or didn’t take them.

5. Break up the work day into segments where those tasks requiring the
highest demand of physical strength be addressed at the beginning of a shift
when the employee should be the most rested and strongest. Breaks don't mean
that work is not getting done! When a job is analyzed it contains many
segments which can be rotated throughout the work day to alleviate stress on the
human musculoskeletal system.

OSHA statistics identify times when workers are more likely to get injured.

Pre-shift:
0.3%

0-2 hours:
19.5%

3-4 hours:
26.6%

5-6 hours:
20.1%

6-8 hours:
21.8%

Overtime (+8
hours): 11.8%.

Here are some of the key findings in the report from the Liberty Mutual Research
Institute for Safety

Factors like
hours worked per shift, number of consecutive shifts and timing of breaks are
just as important as total weekly or monthly hours in accident-causing
fatigue.

Risk of
injury rises dramatically after the eighth hour of a shift, quadrupling by the
12th hour.

The relative
injury risk of night shifts is more than triple that of day shifts.

The amount of
time between rest breaks has a sharp impact on injury risk. Where breaks were
allotted every two hours, the last half hour before the next break was twice
as risky as the first half hour after a break.

Risk of
injury rises along with the number of successive shifts. This effect is
particularly pronounced for night shifts.

For night-shift workers who worked four consecutive nights, the average risk
relative to the first night was about 6% higher on the second night, 17% higher
on the third night, and 36% higher on the fourth night. The increase over
successive day shifts was more modest: 2% higher on the second day, 7% higher on
the third day, and 17% higher on the fourth day.

What happens when you drive a car
with a poorly inflated tire? Eventually you'll get a flat. I just completed an
ergonomic assessment of an individual complaining of arm and shoulder soreness.
After evaluating her physical mechanics and environment I discovered she had an
ergonomic "flat" of sort. This employee had to constantly pickup & repeatedly
move her mouse in order to control the curser on the computer screen. These
repetitive movements placed additional stress on the arm and shoulder. The
culprit: the mouse pad was completely worn out and the bottom of the mouse was
dirty. The mouse is your computer's wheels. I recommend at minimum quarterly
replacement of mouse pad surfaces and the cordless optical mouse be cleaned
daily. Speaking of cleaning; when did you last clean your monitor screen?

Computer ergonomics

:
The science of computer vision

When you read just one word, your
left and right eye teamed together point to the first letter of the word,
identifying each of the letters as the eyes move from left to right across the
word; transmitting that information back to the brain as it comprehends the
word. And all of this takes place in about a tenth of a second. It's easy for
your eyes to read with your glasses text which has clearly defined characters
such as on a printed page. But when you read a word on a computer monitor you're
actually viewing a projection of a letter made up of round dots called pixels.
That's why pixel concentration,
text colors, font
type and size, and flicker rates are critical computer vision issues.

The human eye as it ages into the
thirties and forties loses the ability to effectively accommodate as eye teaming
begins a downward trend. While viewing the image on a computer monitor the
normal blink rate of 20 times per minute is reduced to levels as low as 4
blinks. Dryness of the eye continues to increase as we all get even older. In
other words you're having a difficult time keeping your eyes focused and your
vision clear and sharp.

As we age the lens inside
your eye becomes less clear. The muscles inside your eye which flex the lens
become less capable to control the lens focusing; i.e. your arms don't seem long
enough. Progressive bifocals which have been prescribed to address visual issues
for the computer user reach a level where even this lens cannot provide clear
sharp vision for distance, reading, and the computer. This usually happens as
the reading power of the progressive bifocal increases over +2.00. The physics
of the progressive in higher reading powers causes the mid range and near
portions to "shrink". Thus these smaller zones force the progressive bifocal
wearer to tip their head upward placing stress on the neck, shoulders, and back.
If you have trouble seeing the screen you'll adjust your head and body so you
can which then adversely affects your proper
ergonomic positioning. I cannot
stress the importance your eye doctor understand fully your
visual demands at home and at
work. A prescription
for just the computer is the alternative over trying to make one pair of lenses
work at three different distances. I discuss these issues and solutions in my
programs Combating Visual Fatigue and Avoiding Computer Vision Syndrome.

Do I sit or do I stand.... Recently I have observed reports in the
newspaper and on television that highlighted the benefits of standing, versus
sitting, while using a computer. Scientific evidence has proven that prolonged
sitting has numerous adverse affects on the human body. Compression of the lower
musculoskeletal system, blood pooling, and increased resting blood pressure
levels are very common amongst individuals with prolonged sitting times. So
what’s a safety manager to do?

There are a few isolated instances when a standing work station could be
beneficial but should be decided on a case by case situation. Ideally you would
also equip this employee with wireless keyboard and input devices. An anti
fatigue floor mat should also be incorporated. The ergonomic seating should also
be one that can be used when sitting or standing

Personally I don’t envision corporate America refitting the computer
workplace with workstations that raise up at an approximate cost of $800 per
person. But as I point out in my ergonomic
wellness program;
it is important to get out of the chair. I recommend that employees examine
their work day and incorporate periods that have them moving. For example don’t
eat your lunch in front of the computer, stand when making phone calls, and
consult with a coworker face to face versus sending them an email. These micro
breaks all help reduce the stress on the musculoskeletal system and heart. I
recommend you review with your employees the proper way to use their ergonomic
seating. I cannot tell you how many times when I am called to conduct an
ergonomic assessment that the primary difficulty is improper use of the chair.
The ergonomic seating will support you when:

* You sit with your back firmly against the chair back rest and lumbar
support

* Your feet must rest flat on the floor

* Elbows and knees should both be at an approximately 90 degrees

If you have a specific ergonomic questions; please contact me directly at
708-686-5266 so we can discuss your situation.

Which Font is best
for viewing on the computer?

Do you desire to more easily comprehend the letter characters on your
computer monitor? No, you don't have to run out to your local computer store and
purchase the latest monitor version. There is no "miracle" monitor accessory to
transform how you see the characters on a monitor. The solution is very simple
and inexpensive: modify your font.

In past articles I have addressed both the font
color and
size to improve your visual performance and accuracy. But over the summer I have
been examining the actual font's role in visual functioning and
precision. I think we forget the characters on the computer monitor are a
projection. Characters displayed on a computer monitor are dark in the center
but fuzzy along the character’s outer edge. That’s why pixel concentration is so
important as it affects image quality. Most computer's word processing software
contains over 160 different fonts. Usually most software has a default font and
size. And I have observed many computer users; just like how they employ their
computer seating; sit down and begin working with a particular software and the
"preloaded" font. They never consider how to best use the technology and tools
available to them. They just use it.

Of the 160+ word processing software fonts; in my research I have identified
12 different
fonts
which I can recommend. As most of us use a variety of technology: computers,
wireless phones, IPODS, and GPS units; I have learned that each technology has
its own unique visual demand. Each technology can be modified (depending on
brand and service provider) to make it easier to comprehend the screen
characters. For example; did you know that you can go into your cellular phone's
settings and change the font?

I know that without the correct spectacle prescription your visual accuracy
can be affected by as much as 38%. I know that when we are using different types
of technology we are alternating our view almost every 7 minutes. I strongly
recommend that your employees use my vision identification tool WIDE
(which stands for what I do with my eyes) to bring to their eye doctor at the
time of their eye examination. Then the doctor and employee can discuss the
various visual demands and the appropriate prescription(s) to satisfy the vision
correction. For example; of the over 300+ progressive bifocals in production
today I have learned that about a dozen available in safety lenses are the most
affective. Especially the new Varilux Comfort which I discuss in this month’s
product review.

I invite you to try out the different
fonts to learn which
is the easiest for you to see. Take a moment and explore the options available
to you on the different technological devices you work with. If you have any
questions; please contact me directly at 708-686-5266

Test times
roman 123

Test futura bk 123

Test arial
123

Test century
123

Test Tahoma
123

Test courier 123

Test verdana
123

Test eurostile
123

Test georgia
123

Test perpetua
123

Test tunga
123

Test arial black

123

Pregnancy and Repetitive
Stress Injuries .... Those of us
who practice ergonomics are very aware pregnant women are more susceptible to
developing a debilitating RSI. During the first trimester three distinct forces
are acting upon the pregnant woman's body. In the first weeks of the baby's
development the baby draws all the nutrients she requires from the mother. This
leaves mom depleted until supplementary vitamins and nourishments are started.
Normal dietary patterns and functions are typically interrupted by nausea. The
pregnant mom is also gaining one pound per week (calculated from the first
doctor visit). The pregnant woman finds herself very fatigued.

In the second trimester the pregnant mom is taking a prenatal vitamin. At the
conclusion of this trimester; the pregnant woman will weigh 24 pounds heavier
than she did compared to the beginning of the pregnancy. The pregnant mom's
normal clothing will become restrictive and uncomfortable. Normal clothing will
be replaced with maternity attire. The pregnant mom will experience stress upon
the muscles, ligaments, and body range of motion. Complaints I normally see are
the same as first stage RSI sufferers. Complaints include difficulties
with the back, shoulders, and neck.

In the third trimester swelling of the extremities is very common. The
pregnant mom will have difficulty in routine physical activity not to mention
home responsibilities and simple activities such as getting out of a chair..
Normal sleep patterns are interrupted by increased renal functions, alterations
in "comfortable" body positioning, and the baby's movements. Some women will
experience a spike in blood pressure.

My recommendations: as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed request the doctor
begin prenatal vitamins (don't wait till the first office visit 6 weeks later).
This is not only better for the baby's neurological development - but ensures
the pregnant mom's musculoskeletal health and stamina. Follow to the letter
recommendations and guidelines for the diet so as not to add excessive weight.
Fruit and vegetables are valuable sources of calcium and protein. Exercise as
approved by the doctor. Take breaks during the work day to relieve stress upon
the musculoskeletal system and address blood pooling & pressure. If you have any
questions; please contact us directly

Road Warriors: 5 most common work at home
ergonomic mistakes

In 1984 who would've guessed the impact of computers on the
office workplace in the 21st century. Today over 90% of U.S. businesses use
computers. Computer technology has made it possible for you, I, and over 20% of
the U.S. work force to work at home. The challenge facing employees working at
home with computers is working safely.

In my dad's day working at home meant invading the kitchen
table. From end to end, paper stack after paper stack covered every inch of our
family eating space. Since my dad in his youth did his homework at the kitchen
table; I'm sure it was natural for him to use this same space as an adult. Even
when my dad later on had a "den"; his fixtures and accessories were
primitive compared to the resources available today. Being close to family -
saving 720 hours or more of yearly commuting back and forth to work - not
incurring the expense of vehicle operations are just a sampling of benefits for
working at home today. The disadvantage: lack of proper "office" equipment.

Applying ergonomics in your home work space is the
difference between working healthy, productively, or suffering a repetitive
stress injury. Below I have listed the ten most computer ergonomic mistakes I
observe when conducting an ergonomic consultation. Please keep these in mind.
For the home environment I wish to focus on five elements: seating, lighting,
work surface, document holder, breaks.

Seating: most ergonomic seating will satisfy the
needs of what is called the 95th percentile: men, women, children in a range of
average heights and weights. If your company ergonomic/safety program does
not provide ergonomic seating for the work at home employee; be sure they have
seating which fits them, is adjustable, and allows for a neutral position (see
below). If the employee purchases their own seating it probably will not have
all the bells and whistles of your office seating.

Document holder: USE IT!

Lighting: Is a decorative table lamp your main
source of computer workplace lighting? Consider a floor lamp bouncing off a
white ceiling and supplemental task lighting. Proper illumination of your
documents and work area increases your visual comfort. Not to mention you work
more productively. P.S. watch for glare from open windows and overhead ceiling
lights.

Work Surface: are you working on a TV tray, or on a
chair with your feet propped up, or maybe lying on the bed? Don't laugh but I
have encountered all of these scenarios by employees who work at home.
Maintaining the 90 degrees or neutral position is just as important for working
at home as in the office.

Breaks: One ergonomic factor I am concerned with is
the time of day. Many employees who've I have been asked to consult work a
"normal" eight hour day and then work from home. After the human body is been
awake for 12 - 14 hours; the ergonomic forces can be multiplied on a person who
is fatigued. So I would advise against " crunching" to get the work done. Try to
take micro breaks if working into the evening and nighttime hours. And when your
day reaches the eighteen hour level; tomorrow is another day.